Steven Ladner

Depends on what they want. They seem to like the 'Pop, pop, pause.. repeat' method the most.

Thanks for the assistance guys. PA, it's a light amount of grass across the top with open pockets scattered around. So a popper would still function and move water like it's supposed to. Just have to experiment, it's not limited to open water. Only concern are the treble hooks hanging down. Thought of a modification earlier to try that should be good, a popper is where it's at right now.

Lobina Rico. In a color similar to what you've had success with previously. I use Bone and crush them.

Are there any weedless poppers on the market? I'm not talking about a Spro Popping Frog, but a true hardbody popper. If not I'll just try to modify my own. I have a few areas with light grass on top that I'd like to fish with something other than a frog.

There's some packs of the white on eBay right now.

Surprised no one has mentioned a Lobina Rico, they dominate. One in Bone is my favorite.

It's very easy, but for me it was too time consuming at the time. But it is fun to make your own, and they'll last longer than store bought. I may buy another set up as well now that I'm fishing top waters a lot more. Of course, way more options tying your own.

Thanks all. Jody, not just yet. They should snag less around deep timber and such.

Very nice shallow runners Marty.

I purchased some Freaks and devoted this past weekend to trying new patterns. I based the Barfish and Gizzard Shad off of images. Thankfully they were matched near perfectly on the first try, which is very rare for me. Also an Iced Shad, Fatal Natural Shad, and Bruiser (Black/Blue worms are hot locally, so I think this will fish well). Barfish - Gizzard Shad - Iced Shad - Fatal Natural Shad - Bruiser

I'm a big fan of the 110s and am looking forward to using the new lip design. What I'm also anxious for is the Para Bug to use in small ponds around here.

I was worried about them due to the horrible quality that their Wart Hogs had when released. However, I am a huge fan of their squarebills. It may be too early to get much feedback since they're fresh on the market. I agree on it looking like a killer bait, a deep diving square bill type could be deadly.

Has anyone used these yet? Looks very interesting with the "square bill" look, but want to see if you guys have had any bad experiences before ordering a few.

Something I hate painting, a craw pattern. However I wanted to give the Okeechobee Craw color a try.

Yes, I agree. Very difficult to be consistent with it. Here's a Sexy Shad that wasn't as heavily done and not as big splotches.

Thanks guys. Marty, I tried a toothbrush for the splatter.

I had to back off the painting the past few months due to some health problems but finally got back out there to try a couple of new ones. Not very much detail, wanted to play around with the splatter effect. Let me know what you guys think. Neon Barrage - - Fatal Shad

Yet another what's your favorite crankbait thread. I am curious as to what you guys like most as of lately with the new hardbaits that have come out the past year or so. For me: Shallow: KVD 1.5, RC 1.5, or Luck E Strike 1.5 Medium: Spro Lil John MD or Bandit 200 Deep: SK 5XD or 6XD (The rare times I actually fish deeper water) What's yours?

Finally able to get a little time painting lately. Have a couple of new ones, plus a couple that I hadn't painted in a while. - Crushed Bone - SSS (Switched Sexy Shad) - Natural Pumpkinseed

Haven't posted anything in forever, have had a lot going on to keep me away from painting. I was able to do this color recently, pretty simple pattern but I've been pleased it. Calling in 'Crushed Bone'. Let me know what you guys think.

24/7/365..

I appreciate the info, will be checking it out.

Thanks guys, will try your solutions shortly. I mixed it with a plastic knife, but was stirring it as fast as I could. Didn't think about that causing bubbles. So blowing on it should remove the bubbles, not heat? Marty, do you have a direct link to that kind? You can PM me if it won't let you post the link. Is it as runny as E-tex was? I like epoxy that I can control them from covering the hook hangars. One more question, how many coats are needed with the Flex?

I've been trying different types of clear coat this past week and am working with the Bob Smith 30 minute epoxy today. Really like this stuff so far but am having an issue with microbubbles. I put on a coat about 30 minutes ago and figured they may pop out after rotating for a while. But they're still there. Shop temperature is 70°.. 1. Epoxy was mixed in a plastic measuring container with a plastic knife. 2. Stirred the two parts until they were completely mixed. 3. Let it sit for about one minute. 4. The cup was filled with the bubbles and so I hit it briefly with a blow dryer on heat. 5. That didn't get rid of them so I started to apply the epoxy anyhow. 6. After putting the bait on the turner, I shot the blow dryer at it again. Still nothing... Any idea of what I'm doing wrong?

J Francho, I'm curious as well as to what app you used for the video editing. I was going to download iMovie, but read several bad reviews about it having to use your location. Clary, I'd recommend the 32gb if you plan on having a ton of apps and will do a good bit with video/photos. You don't want to get one that doesn't have enough storage and possibly feeling stuck with it until your contracts up.